[ ✓ ] 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐀 , seho .

one

one

Until that day, fear had been an idea, or a concept. Now it was real—a feeling he would carry inside himself for the rest of his life.

That day began innocently enough with Junmyeon attending to the same routine as always. Once the long, painful school day was over, he'd make his way up to the roof of the school where he'd think his worries away.

But that day was different.

Because before that day, his father would only have one beer left. Before that day, his grades would be at their peak. Before that day, his teachers and peers would actually care for how he felt.

Before that day, Junmyeon had never met the one. The one who'd protect him from falling deep into a pit of hopelessness.

As Junmyeon made his way up the steep flights of stairs, he couldn't help but contemplate just how slow the rest of the week would be.Then, his mind began to wander to home, where his dad would be crashed out on the couch. Junmyeon prayed that his father was having a good week so far, because a good week for him is a good week for Junmyeon.

As he opened the door to the roof of the school, the cool September air pushed against him, sending a chill down his spine. There was no other place he could think of to find solidarity and peace than the loneliness of the school's roof.

He walked further out onto the surface as the wind bit against his cheeks. Junmyeon squinted at the brightness of the clear sky, seeing the familiar view he would stare at for hours on end. He dropped his backpack by the door, then walking out closer to the ledge.

He breathed deeply, taking in the fresh air. He was worried for what was waiting for him at home, but once the thoughts became more and more intense, he hold himself to relax. Enjoy the peace you have now.

Junmyeon stepped over the ledge, positioning himself to where he was sitting on the cool cement. The height from the roof to the ground was high enough to at least paralyze him—but he knew better. Junmyeon had contemplated this before—just ending it all. But he hadn't felt that way in a while, at least not since his mother abandoned him. Otherwise, his therapist had told him enough times for him to say it in his sleep—things will get better.

As Junmyeon continued to process the feelings and thoughts running through his mind, he was interrupted by the shutting of the door. Suddenly feeling uneasy, he froze in his place. He didn't blink or even breathe for that matter. His mind went crazy, knowing that this person has now found Junmyeon's one and only safe place.

Almost immediately, the person yelled after Junmyeon.

"Come down from there!" he shouted. Junmyeon turned around, worry evident upon his face. But as he saw the person who had shouted for him, he couldn't help but freeze even more. The person—the boy—had astonished Junmyeon in every way possible. His practically perfect appearance had caught Junmyeon by surprise. Not knowing how to react, Junmyeon stepped down from the ledge,quickly speeding towards the exit. He passed the boy on the way before grabbing his backpack. Wanting to get far away from the stranger, he slammed the door shut behind him, trying to figure out exactly why that guy had even been up there.

Junmyeon breathed deeply in attempts to catch his breath. He couldn't help but feel just one thing as he reflected on the encounter he just had.

He couldn't help but feel scared.